Mos Def undergoes force-feeding for Guantanamo

[Maximus]

Not really. Obviously they want things they don't have. That's pretty much a requirement for being a prisoner.

Other options for a prisoner to get attention are....

I don't know? I don't see how that's relevant.

[Syt]

I always took hunger strikes as a demonstration of willpower/conviction in a cause. It takes a lot of discipline to starve yourself.

[Maximus]

I always took hunger strikes as a demonstration of willpower/conviction in a cause. It takes a lot of discipline to starve yourself.

Being willing to blow yourself up already demonstrates that.

[DGuller]

I always took hunger strikes as a demonstration of willpower/conviction in a cause. It takes a lot of discipline to starve yourself.

Being willing to blow yourself up already demonstrates that.

Not to that extent.  Hunger strike requires you to constantly hurt yourself 24/7 for weeks.

[Syt]

I always took hunger strikes as a demonstration of willpower/conviction in a cause. It takes a lot of discipline to starve yourself.

Being willing to blow yourself up already demonstrates that.

That is one moment of strong will, not days, weeks or months of continued self deprivation.

[Gups]

Not really. Obviously they want things they don't have. That's pretty much a requirement for being a prisoner.

Other options for a prisoner to get attention are....

Dirty protest

[Admiral Yi]

Being willing to blow yourself up already demonstrates that.

Blowing yourself up demonstrates commitment to the jihadist cause.  Starving yourself demonstrates commitment to the terms of incarceration cause.

[The Larch]

Hunger strikes are also a way to make the captor look bad. No prison warden wants their prisoners to die on him for avoidable reasons.

[Razgovory]

Cause a prison is responsible for the well being of it's inmates?

[Jacob]

No.  I don't see how that relates in any way to me giving a shit.  Some person wants to starve or kill themselves to get some attention?  We have plenty of attention whores already, but knock yourself out.

Oh, I misunderstood your question. I thought you were saying you didn't understand why someone would do such a thing.

It appears you were saying you didn't understand why you should give a shit. That's a question you have to answer for yourself; it appears you've already done so.

[Maximus]

Not to that extent.  Hunger strike requires you to constantly hurt yourself 24/7 for weeks.

Ok, but that's just a matter of degree. I am already convinced that they are devoted to their cause. We already knew that when they were placed there in the first place. Nothing changes because we know they are super-duper dedicated.

Blowing yourself up demonstrates commitment to the jihadist cause.  Starving yourself demonstrates commitment to the terms of incarceration cause.

Ok, but to what avail? Prisoners are unhappy with terms of incarceration, news at 11? Does that change because they are super-unhappy?(see above)

[crazy canuck]

I find the reactions of Max and Scary Spice curious.

Have hunger strikes become so common that they have lost their effect?  I am not sure that is true.  As a society (writ large) are we becoming immune to the plight of others?  Perhaps.

[Maximus]

It's not a plight if it's intentionally self-inflicted.

[derspiess]

Oh, I misunderstood your question. I thought you were saying you didn't understand why someone would do such a thing.

It appears you were saying you didn't understand why you should give a shit. That's a question you have to answer for yourself; it appears you've already done so.

You almost got it.  I'm trying to understand why something like a hunger strike has such effect on others. 

[derspiess]

It's not a plight if it's intentionally self-inflicted.

Exactly.